disco_v8 wrote:

Are v8 equipped with the fbh??

It is not a FBH like diesels use but instead consumes electricity - again something that is very common in colder countries. There is a coolant heater by LR which can be had as a 110 V (NAS) or 230 V version (pretty much intended for Scandinavia). I would just use the aftermarket ones (see below) unless car is already fitted with a LR OE piece.

Aftermarket, DEFA and Calix have complete and very similar kits also for D3 V8 - from coolant heaters to cabin heaters. Although the latter’s use is frowned upon if you live in condominiums because of the power draw.

Great info kajtzu, will look into both options. I have just checked under bonnet, I don't hv one. I was planning a trip to Nordkapp in winter so wanted to start preparing the car. You must have some experience with cold climates, do v8 need anything else for Nordkapp trip you think??

Petrols don’t generally have these as they run hotter than the diesels and the fuel is less prone to cold weather issues.
However, the full fat range rovers can have them on the petrol versions. So they definitely do exist. Bodsys Brake Bible

disco_v8 wrote:

Great info kajtzu, will look into both options. I have just checked under bonnet, I don't hv one. I was planning a trip to Nordkapp in winter so wanted to start preparing the car. You must have some experience with cold climates, do v8 need anything else for Nordkapp trip you think??

I can make a few generic recommendations:

Make sure the battery is in good condition
Make sure you have good spark plugs
Check that your coolant really is -35 oC or thereabouts
Don’t dilute the windshield wiper fluid (in the winter the stuff I use goes to -25, not that I would use the wipers)
If you intend on using wipers make sure they’re not frozen to the screen before doing so, the rubber will get
Make sure the heater works
Not sure what the DRL rules for nordkapp are but I would suggest having front (low beam) and rear lights on at all times since it is fairly dusky at all times
Do have good tires. I would assume the locals use studs but since they’re probably banned where you’re at you need to make do with proper traction winter tires
Dress warm at all times even when you think you’re not going to be outside for more than 15 minutes
Make sure you have thermally insulated working gloves if you intend to do anything with the car. Pretty much any gas station should sell these for a few bucks
Get 1-2 brushes to get the snow away if you park outside, depending on wheee you are a snow shovel might also be good
Check flashlights/beacons, the cold affects their charge too
Put silicone on all rubber seals (door, trunk, etc.) that you expect to be able to open. They’ll freeze and the door is then inoperable without applying significant violence
Make sure your spare key really works (if you’re out of charge and need to enter the car w/o working remote). There is antifreeze for locks.

If you’re just going for one trip I wouldn’t bother with spending money on a heater. Assuming hotel they probably would have inside parking in a garage.

You’ll almost always be able to start the car if your battery has sufficient charge. I’ve started Petrol cars in -29 without having done anything special in advance.

22nd Oct 2017 9:40 pm

disco_v8

Member Since: 22 Oct 2017
Location: London
Posts: 94

wow great info, thanks! I was also planning to keep the car completely stock with obv fully functioning fluids etc but no heater for Nordkap. Maybe in the future when i will do my Transsiberia trip in winter, I may need the heater.
Regarding silicone on the rubber, you mean something like Vaseline or actual silicone ???

23rd Oct 2017 10:10 am

DSLKeeper of the wheelie bin

Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Somewhere.
Posts: 58013

kajtzu wrote:

disco_v8 wrote:

Great info kajtzu, will look into both options. I have just checked under bonnet, I don't hv one. I was planning a trip to Nordkapp in winter so wanted to start preparing the car. You must have some experience with cold climates, do v8 need anything else for Nordkapp trip you think??

I can make a few generic recommendations:

Make sure the battery is in good condition
Make sure you have good spark plugs
Check that your coolant really is -35 oC or thereabouts
Don’t dilute the windshield wiper fluid (in the winter the stuff I use goes to -25, not that I would use the wipers)
If you intend on using wipers make sure they’re not frozen to the screen before doing so, the rubber will get
Make sure the heater works
Not sure what the DRL rules for nordkapp are but I would suggest having front (low beam) and rear lights on at all times since it is fairly dusky at all times
Do have good tires. I would assume the locals use studs but since they’re probably banned where you’re at you need to make do with proper traction winter tires
Dress warm at all times even when you think you’re not going to be outside for more than 15 minutes
Make sure you have thermally insulated working gloves if you intend to do anything with the car. Pretty much any gas station should sell these for a few bucks
Get 1-2 brushes to get the snow away if you park outside, depending on wheee you are a snow shovel might also be good
Check flashlights/beacons, the cold affects their charge too
Put silicone on all rubber seals (door, trunk, etc.) that you expect to be able to open. They’ll freeze and the door is then inoperable without applying significant violence
Make sure your spare key really works (if you’re out of charge and need to enter the car w/o working remote). There is antifreeze for locks.

Other than that good luck and have fun

Hence why I prefer to go in summer.

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disco_v8 wrote:

wow great info, thanks! I was also planning to keep the car completely stock with obv fully functioning fluids etc but no heater for Nordkap. Maybe in the future when i will do my Transsiberia trip in winter, I may need the heater.
Regarding silicone on the rubber, you mean something like Vaseline or actual silicone ???

Google CRC 808 Silicone, I think you can get it from halfrauds in UK or other places that sell CRC products. The bottles that are sold here usually come with a brush integrated to it so all you got to do is take off the cap, apply a bit of pressure and brush silicone thinly on the rubber parts (so door, trunk seals all around) that touch metal components. This needs to be done when it is warm, if you apply when it's freezing you're just making it worse